My fiance grew up in Brookline and a few years ago she took me to The Village Smokehouse. Now I've not been to true rib country, being a native Vermonter, but these ribs are what I use to measure all others by. Every time we have reason to go back to Boston, we make sure we stop there.

It has been a while since I have checked out this board. People have mentioned most of the places that I have been to in the area. I just wanted to for warn you of the Bone Yard in Seekonk. I ate there a few months ago with my family. We found the food not to be that great. My son loves corn bread and he would not even touch it. You may want to try Outlaw BBQ on rt 1, in Foxboro. I have not eaten there in a few years, but, if I remember correctly, it was pretty good.

Bub's in Sunderland is the best I have had in Mass, hands down. He's been there for about 25 years and is the real deal.

I like Blue Ribbon. The one in Newton is fantastic. The one in Framingham, not quite as good.

Blue Ribbon has storefronts in West Newton Ma and Arlington MA, nothing in Framingham.

You may be thinking about Firefly's? They've got storefronts in Marlborough, Framingham and Quincy. Or maybe Tennessee's BBQ in Framingham?

My experiences? Firefly's is good, but not consistently, whether it be the food or service. Tennessee's is good food wise. Blue Ribbon is consistently very good.

All three restaurants are very different though. Firefly's is full service, and an atmosphere not unlike an Outback, or (gasp) not far from a Bugaboo Creek. Tennessee's in Framingham is in a strip mall, and is more like a fast food operation (at least the last time i was there, it's been a while). Both of the Blue Ribbon's are more like a "joint"....kinda funky.

Try out Lester's in Burlington, I think it's on Rt 3A. Not too bad overall, for an old McDonalds building.

Bub's? Good, but too saucy for me. But I like my ribs dry, and a vinegar based sauce on my pulled.

Thanks, Baker. You're right. It was definitely Tennessee's in Framingham. I've only been to the one Blue Ribbon and it was excellent.

It has been years since I've been to Bub's and did not remember all the detaiils. I remember it being a true 'joint' with no pretension and food that made me think of it for days. I also prefer the vinegar-based bbq and that is how I cook at home but I travel a bit down south so I get a lot of sampling of both and I won't push the saucy stuff away if that's what I'm offered.

I was in Nashville, NC 2 weeks ago and had incredible bbq. 2 weeks before that found me in Macon, GA in a place called Finchers' and the bbq was different and just as tasty.